A Model Propulsion Simulator for Evaluating Counterrotating Blade Characteristics

Three Model Propulsion Simulators (MPS) were designed and built to evaluate candidate counterrotation Ultra bypass fan model blade designs of nominally 2-ft. (0.61m) tip diameter for an advanced “pusher-type” aircraft engine. These propulsion simulators (nominally 1/5 engine size) are capable of operation over a wide range of subsonic conditions and can deliver up to 750 shaft horsepower per rotor at rotor speeds of 10,000 rpm. The rotor thrust and torque, dynamic blade stresses, and system temperature data are transmitted through an integral telemetry system to facilitate data acquisition. Salient features of the design, instrumentation, and operation of these simulators are described in this paper.